. >> hunkered downindebatecamp.president obama is -- we expect limb to be studying intensely.mittromneylasta public event in denver, colorado. then he will go dark until wednesday in colorado. >> reporter: the campaigns have been focused on lowering their debate. mitt romney is talking up the president's victorious record from 2008. president obama's campaign said the president is out of practice compared to romney, referring to the gop primary debates. the one guy who didn't get the memo, new jersey governor chris christie. he hit the sunday morning talk shows, playing up the expectations for mitt romney. >> here's the great news for republicans. we have lap candidate who will do extraordinarily well. he will come am wednesday night, lay out his vision for america, contrast his view and the president's record and this whole race will be turned upside down come thursday morning. >> reporter: this unfiltered confidence may not make much of a splash. a newark ton post poll shows 55% of likely voters think the president will win this debate. only 31% say it will be romney. new this is a